We enjoyed a late afternoon visit to Hirst Wood, along the canal and back via the river and canal.
It was a lot colder and windier than I had expected.
The woods held lots of calling Nuthatch (6 or so heard) no Woodpeckers seen or heard - maybe we were out a bit late?
Goosanders were at various points on the river and in good numbers with 10 seen in all.
A look at the water treatment works, hoping for an early Sand Martin did not bring one!
There looked to be maybe 5 Pied Wagtail on the filter beds - not easy to see through the fencing and in the gloom.
However, something spooked the birds and c24 Pied Wagtail flew from the filter beds.
Also here were 2 Grey Wagtail and 2 further Grey Wagtail were seen along the river.
Another very pleasing sight was that of a pr. Reed Bunting feeding in the filter beds.
22 Magpie were perched in the trees nearby.
Another 'pleaser' was that of a Kingfisher that flew past keeping low to the river and landing 300 yds away.
A walk towards the bird, to get a better picture, was hampered by a dog and his master as they muddied the waters a bit and the bird flew off.
Some other birds about were, 3 Mistle Thrush, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese and a pr. Oystercatcher feeding on the cricket pitch.
After a coffee and a bun in the riverside pub, watching the Oyks take a bath, we went along the canal to the car park passing c6 (probably more) Redwing feeding in the gloom in the fields across the canal.
A pleasing end to a very enjoyable short saunter.
Very difficult to get any decent pics through the fence!!
Nice Goosanders and Oycs John.
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